William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

Get to know the Author: William Shakespeare: Born in 1564 – Died in 1616 Father was a glove maker, tradesman, and bailiff (a mayor in today’s time) Mother came from a prosperous farming family

More about the Author… Continued William Shakespeare: At age 18 he married Anne Hathaway They had a daughter Susanna and twins Judith and Hamnet.

More About our Author… Continued Willam Shakespeare: By 1594, Shakespeare had joined Lord Chamberlain’s Men Later renamed “The King’s Men” after James I came to power. Shakespeare owned a share of Lord Chamberlian’s Men. He was very successful; therefore, he should have made a good living for his day.

More About Our Author… Continued William Shakespeare: During his time, Shakespeare produced and wrote thirty-seven (37) plays.

Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet is actually a tragedy, despite its romance. It was also taken from an old tale – Shakespeare turned it into a play. It was written sometime between 1594 and Background: The story of Romeo and Juliet is a play about two young lovers and their romance in the midst of feuding families.

Setting: The play is set during the summer of the 1300s (the 14 th Century) in two cities in Northern Italy – Verona and Mantua. Verona, Italy Mantua, Italy

Characters: Capulets: Lord Capulet – wealthy nobleman of Verona; enemy to Lord Montague Lady Capulet – his wife Juliet – their daughter; 13 years old Tybalt – Lady Capulet’s nephew; Juliet’s cousin Montagues: Lord Montague – wealthy nobelman of Verona; enemy to Lord Capulet Lady Montague – his wife Romeo – their son Benvolio – Lord Montague’s nephew; Romeo’s cousin and friend

More Characters…. Capulets: Old Man – elderly relative of the family Nurse – servant who has cared for Juliet since infancy Peter – the Nurse’s servant Sampson – servant Gregory – servant Montagues: Balthasar – Romeo’s servant Abram – servant

More Characters: Chorus – actor who speaks directly to the audience to introduce the play Prince Escalus – ruler of Verona Count Paris – relative of the Prince; suitor to Juliet Mercutio – relative of the Prince; Romeo’s friend Friar Lawrence – Catholic Priest of the order of Franciscans; pharmacist Apothecary – pharmacist in Mantua Friar John – Franciscan Priest Page – servant to Paris

Miscellaneous Information: The Capulets and the Montagues were both considered very distinguished families. They were embroiled in a bitter feud with each other. Vendetta – a feud between two families, often ignited by murder and perpetuated by acts of revenge. (These were common during the 1300s) A street fight breaks out between their servants and spurs along the feud. Italian families during this time were very large and often extended to their servants.

THE END! Happy Reading…